Taken for a ( tuktuk) ride

We've been around the block a few times, and even been to Bangkok before, but the scams are still here, and probably always will be. I think we imagine we are above all this, and I even read in the guidebook how not to fall prey to these tricksters. 

We were on our way to the underground which would take us to the festivities in Chinatown when a businessman helped make sure we got across a busy street safely, then chatted us up a little. When we said we were going to Chinatown he said it was too busy now, maybe Madame would like to do some shopping first then go to Chinatown.  There we would find really good quality clothes at IFC, international clothing center. We could get a tuk tuk for only $100 Bhat, or $3. Oh, maybe...truly, I liked the idea of a ride to Chinatown and envisioned a nice multistory shopping center. What was I thinking? I don't even like shopping, and I cannot fit ONE MORE thing into my suitcase! Jim sort of looked at me incredulously, because he said ( afterward) that he suspected that this sweet, nicely dressed older gentleman was actually a tout. Whatever. So, we turned the corner, and sure enough, there was a spiffy tuk tuk who would drive us to Chinatown, by way of IFC! 

We drove a looong way, and then we arrived at IFC, which turned out to be a fancy custom clothing company. Haha, jokes on us! They whisked Jim upstairs to look at bespoke shirt and suit catalogues. 

I perused the women's items downstairs. They took one look at me and left me alone.Really tempting, but then I thought, where would I wear a balloon dress in Portland? 

When I found him upstairs, Jim was in the process of politely declining the offer of three custom made shirts that could be delivered to our hotel the next day. We agreed, Jim is not a custom shirt kind of a guy. He said they did have a casual style that was covered in pockets, like a cargo shirt gone wild. But no thanks. 

Were we done? No! Our sweet tuk tuk driver asked so politely if we could just go to one more shop? They would give him a voucher for gas if we visited. Jim , ever the softie, said sure. This shop was high end jewelry and souvenirs. Not for us. Plus, our salesman looked like he could be part of the Addams family.

But all's well that ends well, and now, finally we could go to Chinatown!